BAFTA 2014: ‘Gravity’ Leads With 11 Nominations

A British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) award mask is displayed by an employee during a media viewing at the Savoy Hotel in London Feb. 8, 2012. Photo: Reuters/Stefan Wermuth

Space thriller “Gravity” has won 11 BAFTA nominations on Wednesday, more than any other leading contender or critically acclaimed film this year.

The space drama has received nominations that include the coveted Best Film award and Outstanding British Film award, while the filmmaker Alfonso Cuaron is nominated for Best Director and star Sandra Bullock is nominated for Best Leading Actress. The film is also nominated for Best Original Film Music, Original Screenplay, Cinematography, Production Design, Editing, Sound and Special Visual Effects.

“American Hustle" and "12 Years a Slave" are close behind the space thriller with 10 nominations while “Captain Phillips” bagged nine.

The slavery drama “12 Years a Slave” has topped many U.S. awards lists and reportedly is the favorite for the Oscars on March 2. Chiwetel Ejiofor, the star of the film, has been nominated for the BAFTA Leading Actor 2014 award. The others competing for the award are Leonardo DiCaprio for “The Wolf of Wall Street,” Christian Bale for “American Hustle,” Bruce Dern for “Nebraska” and Tom Hanks for “Captain Phillips.”

“I continue to be immensely proud of the recognition this film is getting around the world,” Ejiofor reportedly said in a statement. "There is, of course, something particularly special about receiving a BAFTA nomination from home.”

The top four nominated films will compete with adoption drama “Philomena” for the Best Film award.

The best actress category award has Bullock competing strongly with Amy Adams for “American Hustle;” other nominees include Emma Thompson for “Saving Mr.Banks,” Cate Blanchett for “Blue Jasmine” and Judi Dench for “Philomena.”

“Despicable Me 2,” “Monster University” and “Frozen” have been nominated for the best Animated Film in 2014.

Britain’s BAFTA awards will take place on Feb. 16, 2014, at the Royal Opera House in Convent Garden, central London. The show will be hosted by Stephen Fry, actor, writer and comedian.